A brief overview of the different types of autopsy

A brief overview of the types of autopsy with relevant case reports

1. TYPES OF AUTOPSY A BRIEF OVERVIEW

2. Autopsy An autopsy (also referred to as post-mortem examination, obduction, necropsy, or autopsia cadaverum) is a surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse by dissection to determine the cause, mode, and manner of death; or the exam may be performed to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present for research or educational purposes.

3. What does it mean? The term “autopsy” derives from the Ancient Greek autopsia, “to see for oneself”, derived from autos, “oneself” and opsis, “sight, view”. The word has been in use since around the 17 th century.

4. Importance The principal aims of an autopsy are to determine the cause of death, mode of death, manner of death, the state of health of the person before he or she died, and whether any medical diagnosis and treatment before death were appropriate

5. Types Medical/pathological/clinical/hospital autopsy Anatomical autopsy Virtual autopsy Medico legal autopsy Psychological autopsy

6. Medical/clinical/pathological/hospital autopsy Performed to diagnose a particular disease or for research purposes. They aim to determine, clarify, or confirm medical diagnoses that remained unknown or unclear before the patient’s death.

7. Autopsy report A 26-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital after experiencing fever, cough and shortness of breath for one week. Despite active rescue remedies, the patient died. To make a definite diagnosis, an autopsy was performed. The autopsy indicated both lungs weighed 1400 g. The left and right lung volumes were 22 × 13 × 5 cm and 22 × 13 × 7 cm, respectively. Both lung surfaces were smooth and glossy, and a small amount of fibrinous adhesion was found among the pulmonary lobes. Its cross-section showed kermesinus with some red liquid matter leaking out. Its texture was hard. Microscopical examination showed diffuse, marked alveolar septal edema with fibroblast proliferation, collagen fibrillation, lymphocyte infiltration, and occasional hyaline membranes In addition to her clinical history, the result of the autopsy was consistent with pathological changes of AIP. In conclusion, the patient died of progressive respiratory failure caused by pulmonary interstitial fibrosis.

8. Anatomical autopsy Performed by students of anatomy for study purposes only

9. Virtual autopsy Performed utilizing imaging technology only, primarily magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT).

10. Autopsy case A 29-year-old male academician working in an engineering institute was found unconscious with bleeding from the mouth and nose in his hostel. He was immediately taken to a nearby emergency medical facility However, on arrival in ER, he was non-responsive and was declared brought in dead, and the police department was intimated as per protocol. Owing to a case of young adults and family members suspecting foul play, the investigating officer requested a post-mortem examination After considering the medical records, external examination findings, and whole-body PMCT findings, it was concluded that “Cerebral edema with bilateral tonsillar herniation consequent to Hypertensive intracerebral bleed” was the cause of death in this COVID-19 case, and the manner of death was classified as natural.

11. Medico legal autopsy Seek to find the cause and manner of death and to identify the decedent. They are generally performed, as prescribed by applicable law, in cases of violent, suspicious or sudden deaths, deaths without medical assistance, or during surgical procedures.

12. Autopsy case

13. Psychological autopsy Systematic procedure for evaluating suicidal intention in equivocal cases. The method entails collecting all available information on a deceased individual through forensic examinations, examining health records, and conducting interviews with relatives and friends

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